National
Dalits are replying to attacks, says Minister (Lead)
Hyderabad, Jan 11 (IANS) Union Minister of State Ramdas Athawale on Thursday said that Dalits were “replying” to attacks on them.
“You attack, we reply. You attack, we reply,” the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment said at a seminar on ‘Ambedkar and Constitutionalism’ at the Osmania University here.
He was referring to attacks on Dalits in Pune while they were celebrating 200 years of the victory of British troops over Peshwa Bajirao II’s Army in Koregaon-Bhima near Pune.
“Some people attacked our community. We also replied. Sometimes, they are attacking but we are also replying,” he said while clarifying that the Dalits were not attacking anyone.
Later, addressing a news conference, the Republican Party of India leader alleged that some Maratha organisations carried out a “planned attack” on Dalits in Maharashtra. He said the next day the entire Dalit community took to the streets to protest.
“We don’t attack because we are in a minority. But if the attacks continue, should we only get beaten?” he asked.
The Minister said the Ambedkar movement brought enlightenment and that the Dalits were taught not to commit atrocities on anybody but should reply if somebody commits atrocities on them.
“We don’t want to quarrel with anybody. If you want to fight, go to the border and fight against Pakistan. Why do you want to fight your own countrymen?” he asked.
The RPI leader admitted that atrocities on the Dalits were taking place but claimed it was not happening everywhere.
He said his party was supporting the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre because the “Modi government believes, respects, and follows the Indian Constitution and Ambedkar’s philosophy”.
Athawale said Modi told Parliament that the Constitution is the ‘dharma granth’ (sacred book) for him and that he became the Prime Minister because of the Constitution.
“The Bharatiya Janata Party may have a different philosophy but Modi, who is an Other Backward Class (OBC) leader from Gujarat, believes in and follows the Constitution,” he said.
Athawala said that those who do not believe in the Indian Constitution should leave the country.
He rejected the demands to repeal The Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, but said suggestions to amend the Act to prevent misuse could be considered.
He did not agree that more atrocities were taking place on Dalits under the BJP-led government’s rule. “Every year, 42,000 to 43,000 cases are recorded in the country, whether it is the Congress government or a non-Congress government.”
The Minister also condemned the atrocities perpetrated in the name of cow protection. “You protect cows, but who will protect human beings?” he asked.
Athawale said if the Dalits were selling skin of dead cow or other cattle for their livelihood, some people were doing politics over it and accusing them of killing cows.
The RPI leader said while the Dalits and Muslims should unite, they should also carry Hindus and others along. He feels that Dalit-Muslim unity against Hindus would only harm the interests of both the communities.
He alleged that Dalit leader from Gujarat Jignesh Mewani, through his provocative speeches, was putting the Dalits in danger.
–IANS
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Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.
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